Prior to his team's Champions League final this weekend, Manchester City defender John Stones said he never imagined he would succeed as a professional football player, much less come close to a treble.
The England international is most likely to start this weekend's European match against Inter Milan, which City must win in order to add the Premier League and FA Cup to their season's total — something no English team has accomplished since 1999.
The next accomplishment is a far cry from Stones' academy days at Barnsley, the team where the 29-year-old started his career before departing for Everton a decade ago.
When asked if he felt this scenario was feasible when he was progressing through Barnsley's development ranks, Stones responded, "Definitely not, it's that simple.
I never imagined being a professional, much less representing England or competing in the Premier League, let alone taking home the title.
"Staying it can be odd at times. I sometimes struggle to put into words my origins, my path, and all that has contributed to who I am now.
Stones was a member of the City team that fell to Chelsea in the 2021 Champions League final in Porto, and the defender has warned that a reoccurrence of that result is not acceptable.
When asked what he had learned from it, Stones replied, "First and foremost, don't [let it happen] again.
"It was a place we had never been before and a circumstance we had never encountered. With all the knowledge we have
Coming out on the losing end after going through that trying time was extremely painful and hit home strongly. You don't want to experience that feeling again because it's one of the strongest ones that stays with you.
"Going into this game, we seemed a lot calmer and more confident. There are numerous considerations despite the fact that we should believe in our abilities, past successes, and current play.
Walker: We can't just show up for the final because Inter are risky
Despite being overwhelming favorites for the final on Saturday in Istanbul, manager Pep Guardiola claims Inter Milan has "a lot of difficulties" that could end City's hopes of winning the treble.
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Coming out on the losing end after going through that trying time was extremely painful and hit home strongly. You don't want to experience that feeling again because it's one of the strongest ones that stays with you.
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